Most Affordable Online Economics Degrees

Overview

Pennsylvania State University leads this ranking for a variety of reasons, not least of all that it is one of the only schools that confers two online bachelor’s economics degrees. This university confers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Economics. It is regionally accredited by the MSCHE.

Features

Both degrees require 120 credit hours of work, all of which can be completed online. As with all Penn State World Campus online degrees, a student must first finish the required Core Curriculum before moving onto the Major Core requirements. Sample courses include:

• Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy
• Introduction to Econometrics
• Money and Banking

Notables

It’s an important distinction that this school offers both the B.A. and the B.S. in Economics. The B.A. track is perfect for online students who are looking for a degree that will help them understand social behavior in reference to economics while the B.S. track is best suited for analytically minded students interested in become statisticians and analysts.

Overview

Oregon State University confers three different economic degrees online, including the B.A. and B.S. in Economics and the unique B.S. in Environmental Economics and Policy. This is one of the best universities to attend for an online degree and it has been consistently ranked in the top ten by U.S. News and World Report for its online bachelor’s programs. This school is accredited by the NWCCU.

Features

OSU delivers an amazing program for its economics students that want to focus on the general area of economics. By providing both a B.A. and B.S. track in the subject, the school ensures that students can choose the economic role that fits them best. All three degrees require 180 credit hours to graduate, and the type of degree sought will affect the students’ mandatory courses. It is also important to note that these degrees currently do not require any on-campus residency. Sample courses include:

• Advanced Microeconomic Theory
• Econometrics
• Economics of Traditional and Renewable Energy

Notables

The school’s Department of Applied Economics has also expanded the offerings made online by the department by offering the B.S. in Environmental Economics and Policy. This is an industry-specific degree that focuses on environmental stewardship and the role of economic advisors in the industry. It is perfect for students who want to supplement their environmental studies with analytical courses in economics.

Overview

Students at Colorado State University in Fort Collins are flocking to the school’s online portal, where a variety of online undergraduate degrees are available. Among the most popular programs lies the Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a fully online degree best suited for first-time college students. This school is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC.

Features

This degree requires 120 credit hours, including a minimum of 20 credit hours for the minor. Students will also find that while transfer credit is welcome through another regionally accredited university, at least 30 upper-division credits must be completed at CSU Online. Sample courses include:

• History of Economic Institutions and Thought
• Economics of Public Finance
• Regional Economics

Notables

One of the main features of this online degree is that CSU requires students choose a major to accompany the B.A. in Economics. Because this degree is based in the liberal arts, the minors students can choose from tend to follow the liberal arts curriculum. Some of the minors include Political Science, Anthropology, and Media Studies.

Overview

Fort Hays State University, known as FHSU to students, confers an interesting economics degree for business-minded students. This school confers the Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business and Economics online, a degree that focuses on international affairs through the lens of economics. This university is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC.

Features

This degree requires 124 credit hours, all of which can be earned online. An internship is required as well, and this can be completed in a student’s community. This includes the General Education Core, the College of Business and Entrepreneurship Core, and the International Business and Economics Core. Sample courses include:

• Cultural Geography
• Global Business Communication
• International Economics

Notables

The B.B.A. in International Business and Economics focuses on the subject of economics in international situations. It was designed for students who are interested in geography, political science, international affairs, business, and economics. It is also a great foundational degree for students who are interested in obtaining an international MBA.

Overview

Utah State University has an expanding online portal, including undergraduate degrees that can be completed wholly online. This university confers the B.A. and the B.S. in Economics; there are also options to dual major economics with both finance and accounting. USU is regionally accredited by the NWCCU.

Features

USU offers the traditional B.A. and B.S. degrees in Economics online, allowing students to choose either a liberal arts-based curriculum or a statistical-based curriculum. It is therefore a good idea for all students to research the differences between the degrees and to speak with an advisor prior to applying for the degree to ensure they are choosing the correct degree. Sample courses include:

• Intermediate Macroeconomics
• Mathematical Methods in Economics and Finance
• History of Economic Thought
• Economic Research and Methods

Notables

These degrees both require 120 credit hours. Dual majors should expect to add at least 20 credit hours to their requirements. This school does not require any on-campus residency, making it one of the best schools for online students.

Overview

The University of West Georgia is a school with a reputation for academic excellence with regard to its online programs. This university confers the Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in Economics, a degree that is geared towards students who are interested in becoming economists within a government agency or in business. UWG is regionally accredited by the SACS COC, and the program is further accredited by the AACSB-I.

Features

The B.B.A. in Economics is an interesting program that is relatively rare for online schools. It focuses on business, economics, and how the two influence each other. This means that this degree is based on empirical methods and research rather than liberal arts. This degree is also a great foundation for students interested in law school or who are planning on going on to graduate study to earn an MBA. Sample courses include:

• Management of Information Systems
• Statistics for Business
• Management in the Social-Political Environment

Notables

It is important to note that this degree is not fully online. Students will be required to take at least 40 percent of their courses on the school’s Carrollton campus. For this reason, the program is best for students who already live in Georgia and can commit to this on-campus residency. This degree requires 120 credit hours for graduation. This may also include an optional internship that takes place in a student’s home community.

Overview

With Forbes recently claiming that an economics degree is one of the best majors for job offers after graduation, it will come as no surprise that Eastern Oregon University has answered with offering an online degree. This school confers the Bachelor of Science in Economics. The university is regionally accredited by the NWCCU.

Features

The B.S. in Economics at EOU requires 121 credit hours, including a capstone project. Of the total credit hours required, 61 must be from the major core. Students can choose from a wide-ranging curriculum of courses such as:

• Social Sciences Research Methods
• History of Economic Thought
• Principles of Microeconomics

Notables

One of the most interesting features about this program at EOU is that all of the courses offered in the economics major are available online and on-campus, although not at the same time. This means that students who live close to the campus and are interested in ensuring they finish their degree on time can take class on campus. However, this is not a necessity, as it is possible to get this degree fully online.

Overview

Lakeland University offers a business-specific economics degree for its online students. It confers the Bachelor of Business Administration with a Concentration in Business Economics, a program that can be completed wholly online. This university is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC.

Features

The B.B.A. in Business Economics from Lakeland University requires a total of 120 credit hours. There are no on-campus residency requirements or internships needed for the completion of this program. Sample courses include:

• Health Care Economics
• Economics of Sports
• Money, Banking and National Income

Notables

Earning a B.B.A. in Business Economics online is a great way for any working student to begin building a strong foundation in business. This program, which has a general emphasis on business, allows students to obtain specialized knowledge in economics and how it influences the working business world. The degree is also a great stepping stool for further graduate education, which can lead to leadership opportunities in the business sector.

Overview

University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) has one of the online accredited degrees in economics. This school confers the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, a program that is specially accredited by the IACBE. The school is regionally accredited by the WASC SCUC.

Features

This university requires 120 total credit hours before a student can apply for graduation. There are no on-campus residency requirements for this school, but students are responsible to ensure that all of their courses, including electives, are available online. Sample courses include:

• Business Law
• Management for Organizations
• Strategic Management and Business Policy

Notables

UAGC offers students the unique ability to use their previous work, life, military, or education experience and use it as transfer credits towards their degree. Up to 90 credits can be transferred, allowing students to lessen their degree requirements by 75 percent. Those interested in transfer credits are encouraged to speak with an advisor prior to enrolling in their preferred program.

Overview

Ottawa University offers a flexible, strong online undergraduate degree for economics students. It confers the Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics completely online. This university is regionally accredited by the NCACS THLC.

Features

This degree requires 120 total credit hours, including the Core Curriculum. Courses range from finance to management to international economics. Here’s a closer look at a few electives you can choose from:

• Discrete Mathematics
• Money and Banking
• Spatial Economics

Notables

Ottawa takes its online education seriously. All courses in this degree are asynchronously and available for download. Assignments and coursework are submitted through the school’s online learning management system, the same place where students can chat with classmates and faculty, all while working their full-time job.